US General sees significant withdrawal in Iraq

[RakuraiTenjin]

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/9f81fef2-14de-11da-9df1-00000e2511c8.html

"Maj Gen Douglas Lute, director of operations at US Central Command, yesterday said the reductions were part of a push by Gen John Abizaid, commander of all US troops in the region, to put the burden of defending Iraq on Iraqi forces."

Things looking up, once the constitution process is set better in stone it will be a big wall pushed down like the successful elections accomplished.

 

[Teta_Bonita]

I thought Bush said it would be four more years? o_0

 

[Pesmerga]

I thought Bush said it would be four more years? o_0

Bush said they would withdraw when the Iraq government wants us to.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

I thought Bush said it would be four more years? o_0

Exactly the problem the media created by overhyping something.

General Schoomaker said they are creating troop rotation plans, one of which scenerios is if they're needed there for 4 more years. It went from "We're making various plans to be ready for any situation" to "OMG 4 YEARS FOR SURE" and the fault is the way it was covered.

 

[CptStern]

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/24/troops.iraq/

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

"More troops are headed to Iraq, this time 1,500 paratroopers to temporarily boost military strength during the fall election period, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. "

 

[CptStern]

"During previous increases, some troops were kept in theater past their expected departure date, while others were brought to Iraq early. Such action brought the numbers there up to nearly 160,000 in January. Military officials tell CNN that such a large increase is unlikely this time but acknowledged that further reinforcements are possible and under consideration"

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Yes, 160,000 in January 05, for the elections. Note how today Aug 05 the number is below 140,000.

 

[CptStern]

" Military officials tell CNN that such a large increase is unlikely this time but acknowledged that further reinforcements are possible and under consideration"


look at the date of the article

 

[Tr0n]

IMO it's starting to seem like Vietnam all over again.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

" Military officials tell CNN that such a large increase is unlikely this time but acknowledged that further reinforcements are possible and under consideration"


look at the date of the article

Right that it's possible to raise during the critical period. But just as they were in January, temporary. Troop levels cut 20,000 in 8 months after being raised to reinforce the elections, it's a temporary bulk, on the overall scale things have been staying.

Gen. John Abizaid is the one who kept the numbers from going to 115,000 and made them stay at 135,000 earlier this year, because it was necessary at the time. He is the one wielding the actual power as far as opinion on troop count goes, him recognizing over next while we need to overall reduce the count is a pretty clear indication of what's going on.

 

[CptStern]

reduce by sending more and even considering to send more ........that makes no sense

 

[Korgoth]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsA...15435Z_01_HO476020_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-BUSH-DC.XML
Methinks this contradicts you!

Bush's speech, coinciding with news that 1,500 more troops were headed to Iraq in coming weeks, was part of an effort to counter increased anti-war sentiment which has contributed to a sharp decline in the president's approval ratings.

To clarify, bush is saying its to counter the terrrorists that are converging on Iraq.. so which is it? Hell the administration doesn't even know.

 

[No Limit]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsA...15435Z_01_HO476020_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-BUSH-DC.XML
Methinks this contradicts you!



To clarify, bush is saying its to counter the terrrorists that are converging on Iraq.. so which is it? Hell the administration doesn't even know.

The terrorists have been converging in increasing numbers each month. I honestly don't know how you can see this as a troop reduction because one general said they will reduce it when everything else seems to contradict that.

 

[Korgoth]

The terrorists have been converging in increasing numbers each month. I honestly don't know how you can see this as a troop reduction because one general said they will reduce it when everything else seems to contradict that.

Yeah thats what I was attempting to say, but you managed to word it much better, thank you no limit